Now that the New Orleans Saints have added free agent linebackers Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne and Chris Chamberlain, all productive starter a year ago, the position has quickly gone from question mark to one filled with depth.

Through the first two weeks of organized team activities, Lofton and Hawthorne have joined veteran holdover Scott Shanle with the first-team defense, while Chamberlian, Will Herring, Jonathan Casillas and Nate Bussey are trying to work their way up the depth chart. That number doesn't include last year's third-round pick Martez Wilson, who has been moved from linebacker to defensive end.

And there is a wild card at the position - suspended middle linebacker Jon Vilma, who is rehabbing a knee injury while he appeals his season-long suspension for his role in the Saints' pay-for-performance bounty system.

"It's probably the deepest group I've ever been around," interim coach Joe Vitt said. "I would say this, linebacker one through seven or eight could start for a lot of teams in the National Football League. That's a compliment to the group."